Here are my favorite practical tips for eating healthy:
Drink Up- Water, that is. Coffee, tea, juice, and soda don’t count. Drink water regularly, even if you aren’t thirsty. And if you don’t like the taste, squeeze some lemon (or lime) into it.
You Can’t Eat What You Can’t See- Go on a junk hunt by reading the nutrition labels of everything in your kitchen and tossing out everything that isn’t healthy or will beckon you to indulge.
If It’s White Don’t Take a Bite- Cut all “white foods” out of your diet. Those include white bread, white pasta, white sugar, white flour, white rice, and white potatoes. Replace them with whole grain foods.
To Satisfy a Snack Attack- Try unbuttered, unsalted popcorn (Make sure it’s air popped); raw (not salted or candied) almonds; or a piece (not the whole bar, mind unsaturated fats and high in antioxidants. Your refrigerator should also contain probiotic yogurt and organic apples, and pears. A frozen banana dipped in dark chocolate with a few chopped almonds sprinkled over the make makes a great treat.
Read Labels- When you shop, be sure to check all labels for chemical additives. Basic rule: If you can’t pronounce it, don’t buy it! (one exception: quinoa.) Registered dietician Rachel K. Johnson, a professor at the University of Vermont and spokesperson for the American Heart Association, suggests looking for whole grains as the first ingredient. Be aware of the amount of saturated fat and sodium in what you buy. “Sodium intake should be kept at 1,500 mg– about two-thirds of a teaspoon of salt- and saturated fats should only be 7 percent of your daily calorie intake.
Stay Away from Sodas- Keep sugary drinks- including sodas, energy and fruit drinks, sweetened iced teas and lemonade- off your shopping list. Diet soda is no better than regular. The chemicals in them actually trigger your sweet tooth, which can make you want more.
Take It Easy- You don’t have to jump right into a diet full of legumes, flaxseed, goat yogurt, and broccoli sprouts. Always include the foods you like; otherwise, you will never stay on the program. Have fun with it. For example, try a new color fruit or vegetable each day or week.
Organic Is Generally Better- However, if everything organic is too expensive, simply pick one or two things that you like to eat in quantity and buy those organic especially dairy products, apples, celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, and berries. One of the hallmarks of organic food is the lack of pesticides, and most of these are sprayed on the outside of fruit and vegetables.
One Small Step- For a start, just make one small change a day. For example, substitute a slice of whole grain bread for white. If you want pizza try a vegetable topping.
Eat Like an Athlete- Do what all the superstar athletes do- start your day with a good, healthy breakfast that includes protein, carbohydrates, and fiver. For example an omelet with one egg yolk and two whites, and a slice of whole grain toast. Furthermore, a new study published in the Nutritional journal found that eating a bowl of oatmeal helps you feel full longer and may reduce the likeliness time is an issue, whip up a quick smoothie with yogurt, a banana, frozen fruit, chocolate protein, powder, natural almond butter, and ice.
Eat Local- “There are many good reasons to eat locally produced foods; the first among them is that t they’re very good for us,” says interventional cardiologist and professional chef Michael S. Fenster, M.D., author of Eating Well, Living Better. “There’s a direct relationship between our environment, our genetics, and our health eating locally grown foods gives us our most nutritious meals, most flavorful meals.”
Keep a Record of Your Progress- By doing so, you can commit on paper and then confront what you see or do. Also, write positive affirmations and prominently place them where they will motivate you- your bathroom mirror, the scale, the refrigerator or closet door.
For more great information on becoming Better Than Before, visit Jane Wilkens Michael
Feeling lethargic, tired or worn down? Are you hungry in between meals? You may need some meal prep magic from a Nutritionist to increase your energy. Our Nutritionist created a mini meal prep guide with whole foods that energize your day.
Follow a few simple steps and regain your energy. By adding a few Fit Snacks to certain snacks you can create a highly nutritious power snack to take to work or quickly grab-n-go. Fit Snacks are meant to be convenient when you add a convenient snack to a nutritious raw food snack, what do you get? A nutrient dense treat that’s easy to grab-n-go. Keep reading to find out what we mean by ‘mini’ meal prep. As you read remember the smallest changes can make the biggest difference and abs are built in the kitchen is a phrase for good reason.
This meal prep guide is 100% Gluten Free, Grain Free and Dairy Free! Tip: use glass over plastic for meal prep and storage (blog coming soon).
The Perfect Keto Snack
The Limón con Chile is best characterized as flavorful in its spice profile rather than a purely hot jerky or spicy jerky. Talk about a crave worthy high protein snack. The best part is, it is Sugar-Free, Carb-Free, Gluten-Free and Keto friendly.
Mini Meal Prep Guide Snack #1: Yes, we said Snack!
Do you have time to eat 5-6 meals a day? It has been proven to boost metabolism, but who has time for 6 small meals. We always have time for a snack that is easy to grab-n-go or eat right at your desk while you’re working.
Add People’s Choice Carne Seca Limon Con Chile to a small snack bowl of sliced Red and Orange Peppers. This makes for a beautiful and tasty snack. We even have a fun drink tip you can pair with this perfect snack mix. Water with lemon.Did you know by simply adding lemon to your water it becomes a probiotic?
Typically you may not even consider adding a cut up vegetable to your meal prep. You may think that the weekly veggie tray at work will take care of your veggie needs. Veggie trays do not always have nutrient dense options and may not come often enough. Take the benefits of daily Red Bell Peppers for instance:
More than 200 percent of your Daily Vitamin C Intake
Packed with Vitamin B6 and folate
Support healthy night vision
Packed with Antioxidants
When you pair veggie snacks with lean protein you have a nutrient dense snack. That is why we encourage jerky! The Carne Seca line by People’s choice is inspired by the diverse culinary tradition of Downtown Los Angeles and its many migrant groups. Taste the flavors of Northern Mexico and the Southwest region of the United States. Focused on bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and simple techniques, our Carne Seca Beef Jerky features all natural ingredients and a simplified process to showcase the deliciousness of traditional Carne Seca Beef Jerky. Initial kick of heat from cracked red pepper blends into the richness of guajillo chili powder, cracked black pepper, and sea salt; finishes with a touch of lemon twang. Our goal is to celebrate the natural meat flavor of the thick cut beef jerky.
Make it a Meal: Limon Con Chile + Tacos
Here’s some meal prep words of wisdom. If you’re prepping 1 thing use similar ingredients to make it a meal. This way you spend less time and brain power thinking of new things to eat. If you are eating a diet high in veggies and Fit Snacks you are right on track. Now for some fajita veggie tacos.
Fajita Veggie Tacos
Red, Green, Orange and Yellow Bell Peppers, Sliced
Topping: White Onion, Tomato and avocado chopped into small pieces
Side: People’s Choice Limon Con Chile Carne Seca
Wrap in spinach or a beet tortilla for the full veggie effect.
Visit their WEBSITE to see more. A line of jerky with a flavor for the whole family ☺
Mini Meal Prep Guide Snack #2: Add this cheesy goodness to lunch without the guilt!
It’s lunch time and that cheesy craving hits and it hits hard. Rather than grab a bag of junk food grab a bag of Shrewd Food. Cure your craving and get much needed protein in your day.
Satisfying delicious taste and crunch without the fat, carbs or sugar. 14g Protein per serving.
It’s really as simple as that and usually the best snacks are.
Prep sliced veggies and add a small bowl or bag of these to the middle of the table. Poof! You have a work picnic or just a quick meal at work. We underestimate the energy we can gain from a few raw veggies, a savory snack and protein.
Slice: Bell Peppers (green, red and yellow), or buy mini bell peppers you won’t have to slice. Slice cucumber, carrots and that’s your colorful mini mid-day meal packed with nutrients.
Hemp Raisin Cookies
Cookies made with plantain flour for a delicious treat packed with flavor, perfect for paleo and vegan diets. Hemp Raisin is a soft, crumble cookie, packed full of juicy raisins!
Mini Meal Prep Guide Snack #3: We got the guilt free goodies! Gluten free, Grain free, Dairy free treat.
Trade in grains and gluten for these tasty cookies and you will feel the difference. The exchange rate with The Real Coconut Cookie is high. With hemp your body is getting all of the following; protein, iron, phosphorus and magnesium.
Meal prep Snack 2: Take a banana, small bowl of blueberries and sliced almonds to work, put them into a bowl when ready and enjoy with Coconut Cookies.
This is a great way to kick unhealthy sugary cravings for something much better. These cookies are low in sugar, higher in nutrients than other cookies and they have no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
Make it a Meal: Smoothie Bowl
These cookies are perfect to break up and add to the top of a smoothie bowl. Using all the same ingredients as above, (banana, blueberry and sliced almond mix) add Almond milk and oats.
Instructions: Blend Banana, Blueberry, Almond Milk and Oats. Place in Bowl. Top with Almond Mix and The Real Coconut Cookie Crumbles. *If it’s hot, be sure use frozen fruit and blend in ice so that your smoothie bowl is frozen.
At Fit Snack we only share snacks that meet our Nutrition Criteria and taste delicious. Taste is an important part fo the criteria here at Fit Snack. We want you to discover healthy snacks that satisfy all of your cravings and keep you feeling fit.
The Real Coconut offers an exciting range of plant-based snacks, wraps and sweet treats for snacking and sharing that emphasis on sustainability, digestive health, and flavor. The Real Coconut’s vegan and paleo-friendly recipes crafted by Daniella Hunter in her home kitchen and served at the original ‘Real Coconut’ restaurant in Tulum, Mexico are now brought to you online and in stores across the USA. Our cookies are made with plantain flour, and these delicious sweet treats are packed with flavor and perfect for paleo and vegan diets.
Visit The Real Coconut website if you really want to satisfy your cookie craving.
Just like you need healthy snacks if you are busy or needed a boost during the day, kids need healthy snacks at school. Every month we donate healthy snacks to kids in need. Fit Snack is family owned and from our family to yours we are striving to make a difference this season. Give the gift of Fit Snacks and feed a kid the snacks they need at school.
Join today and feed a kid in need OR just sign up for our news letter and we will continue to send healthy inspiration your way! Click here for your surprise discount.
Feeling fit for Fall? Fall in love with these cheesy baked Protein Crisps and all natural Power Crackers. We also included our Trainers Top 3 Fitness Hacks. Learn 3 easy ways to lose stubborn fat. The key to staying motivated when the seasons are changing or just when you’re needing some inspiration is to change your perspective. These fitness tips will help you shift your focus and make having a solid fitness routine easier.
It’s a win win when you can enjoy a guilt free super Cheesy snack and lose stubborn fat with all the right hacks.
Fitness Hack #1: Discover your stress free exercise.
Discover your stress free exercise. What works for YOU? By works, we mean what exercise does your body respond to best. Typically we workout to achieve major fitness goals and we often stress our body and put added stress on our joints in the process. This tip is something our trainer encourages. Stress is often a reason why we hold stubborn fat and struggle to stick with a fitness routine. It is important to include stress free exercise in your routine. Enjoy this 2 for 1 because this one is also great to strengthen your mind and build healthy fitness habits.
Here’s a few options to eliminate that stress. Water exercise and calming yoga and meditation. An example is adding Elementary Back Stroke to your lap swim or basic aquatic exercises. Our Trainer encourages the use of yoga to prevent injuries. Her favorite injury prevention yoga is Yoga With Adriene.
Fall in love with this cheesy snack. Nothing takes the edge off of a stressful day like tasty cheesy yumminess. These Protein Crisps are the perfect post workout snack and they are the healthiest way to satisfy your cheese craving.
Introducing Shrewd Food: Fall in love with a healthy cheesy treat.
Not Colorado baked, but satisfying the same munchies, this high protein snack is sure to satisfy your cravings of those cheese puff national brands, but with huge protein. This snack is high on taste and protein and low in calories, fat, carbs and sugar. Shhh they’re kind of a miracle. Plus they’re legal in all 50 states. ☺
Visit their WEBSITE to see more. Their products will satisfy your body and mind ☺
Fitness Hack #2: You do it everyday, but done right can make all the difference.
Connect with your breathe. The best athletes practice proper breathing and start and finish position of every move. Here’s how you can practice proper breathing. When you connect with your breath workouts are more effective.
Here’s an example and how to prepare so you can connect with your breathe before and during an exercise.
Lying leg lifts – First, lying down inhale and fill your belly up with air. Second, exhale pulling your navel to spine. Pretend there were a string pulling your belly button closer to the floor. Third, keep your spine glued to the floor throughout the movement. Test: make sure your back is glued to the floor, so you cannot fit anything under your back, not a pencil or a finger.
Here are a few resources to learn breathing techniques for a more effective workout. The first is from the Daily Burn and the second is from Greatist.
Fitness Hack #3: Rest and recover with a Fit Snack break.
Here’s another 2 for 1. Use rest time during a long workout to eat a Fit Snack. Athletes everywhere do it, in fact, most creators of the snacks in the box are active, fit and healthy athletes, fitness professionals and fit families (the Fit Snack family being one). Back to Hack #3.
Rest is important. It’s not cool to not let your body rest. Think of how you would feel if you missed a few nights of sleep in a row. That’s how your muscles feel when you don’t include proper recovery and rejuvenation. Our Trainers rule of thumb is: Short workouts require 30 second rest and longer workouts require 1 minute, though it depends no the type of exercise, but this is a good base. Then comes the snacks, good thing our Trainer is also a Nutritionist.
When you’re working out and you don’t have clean, whole food nutrition your muscles feel starved. Sleep deprived and hungry is no way to meet your goals, in fact this encourages your body to retain stubborn fat. The proper nutrients in your recovery snack can make all the difference in getting your body to work for you and burn stubborn fat stores. Here’s the snack to recover with after a workout:
CAN YOU RECALL THE BEST TASTING “HEALTH FOOD” YOU EVER TASTED IN YOUR LIFE?
One that’s full of flavor, has an appealing texture, tastes like a decadent gourmet treat and yet made with simple, clean and organic ingredients. I bet you can’t, or most likely you have tried, but it’s not a healthy food– it was probably just junk food.
HERE AT FOODS ALIVE, WE ARE CREATORS OF REAL HEALTH FOOD.
We don’t sacrifice taste for health and we definitely don’t sacrifice health for taste– in fact, we enhance the taste and healthiness by making it with only the best tasting organic, non-GMO, gluten free, raw, vegan and kosher ingredients.
Discount Code: FitFoods820 for 20% off redeem here
Welcome to the launch of part two of the three part Mind Body series. Our Nutritionist and Personal Trainer designed a simple three part workout and nutrition series. The purpose, to use Nutrition and Training guidance to maximize your energy and vitality in your every day life. Here you will find part two along with a sneak peek at the September Fit Snack box!
We welcome all fitness levels as there are modifications for beginner to advanced. If you are feeling stagnant or are needing to gain energy to increase stamina in your everyday life, we have the tools to turn that around. You will need some superfood packed Fit Snacks and the guidance of our Nutritionist and Personal Trainer. Sit back, enjoy a Fit Snack and prepare to bring your body into balance with an awesome workout and some stretches.
Wholesome food made with real ingredients. This is the place to start.
Nothin’ But Foods
Introducing Nothin’ But Granola Cookie Bites and Snack Bars. Simple wholesome ingredients, functional, with crave-worthy taste!
GLUTEN FREE, NONGMO with no Artificial Sweeteners!
Gluten free and guilt free snacking with each snack under 200 calories
Discount Code: FitSnack25 for 25% off + free shipping if purchase over $40 Expiration: 10/31/18 redeem at nothinbutfoods.com
A perfect balance of flavors. Indulgent tastes with healthy ingredients.
There’s your pre workout snack!
FoodsAlive Lemon Chia Crunch Power Snackers
Lemon Chia Crunch Power Crackers are a mix of nutrient-rich almonds and walnuts, flax and sunflower seeds, and reishi mushrooms blended with maca, lucuma, coconut, vanilla, and lemon. With superior taste, texture, and clean plant-based organic ingredients, everyone will love our new vegan power crackers.
And there’s your mid-day snack! Now to get to this workout.
Pre workout Stretches!
Time to focus your mind and prepare your body. Set the intention to workout mindfully. Focus on perfect form and connect with your breathe to benefit your body and mind. To start with a well balanced workout we need a pre workout stretch. This short bout of active stretching is designed to fully prepare your body for the every exercise. Never underestimate the pre workout stretch. With the perfect fuel you should be feeling energized. Now stretch and get in the zone.
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Quick Pre Workout Active Standing Stretch 3 minWith each movement breathe deeply for 3 breaths
Neck stretch – half circles, right shoulder to left shoulder
Shoulder Rolls – Roll shoulders forwards and backwards
Side Body Stretches – Reach arms high, keep core long and bend to one side then the other
Right arm over head – tricep stretch, left hand on right elbow light pressure.
Left arm over head – same for opposite side
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Game Time! Here’s the workout…
Here’s a fun and functional circuit to get you moving! It is designed to full body strength and balance. When these exercises are performed in a circuit they are highly effective in burning fat and building lean muscle. Sign up for our News Letter and we will send the upcoming 3 part series with beginner and advanced level modifications from our Trainer.
Full Body 15 min Circuit
Push Ups – alternating leg lifts, lift 1 leg as you lower and switch
Ice Skaters – 1-2 ft jump land balancing on one leg and reach, switch
Staggered Arm Push Ups – 1 hand below chest, 1 hand above chest
Slow Hip Bridges – knees directly over ankles
Downward Dog Push Ups – downward dog, heels on the floor, hips high
Single Leg Deadlifts – hold a small weight or heavy book
This is a portion of the workout in Part Two of the Mind Body series. Sign up for our mailing list here just scroll down and enter your email for this free 3 part series.
You have to be filling hungry after that 15 minute killer circuit. Here’s your post workout protein snack and more protein ;)! Snacking does not get any cleaner or more purely delicious than this.
Eat Wicked Cutz Jerky! The question is Turkey, Bacon or Beef?
You have all of the high protein jerky options you need with Wicked Cutz. Here’s a little Wicked education. Wicked was started by a body builder.
Snack creator American Body Builder and 2x Arnold Class Winner, Branch Warren.
If that’s not motivating we don’t know what is.
Shrewd Foods Protein Crips | Baked Cheddar
Satisfying delicious taste and crunch without the fat, carbs or sugar. 14g Protein per serving.
Code: FSB15X18 for 15% off Expiration: 12/31/18 redeem at shrewdfood.net
RX Bar they make protein bars and other things. Introducing RX Nut Butters.
The nut butter that’s more than nuts – 9g protein, delicious flavors, no B.S.
Peanut Butter | Almond Butter | Maple Almond Butter & more high protein snack essentials!
Code: FitSnackRX18 for 20% off Expiration: 11/31/18 redeem at rxbar.com
Stretch it Out!
Training specific stretches from part One of the Mind Body series. Enjoy!
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Quick Post Workout Sitting Stretch 3 min
Sitting Butterfly Position – straighten back 3 deep breaths
Right leg extended – straighten back to set and lean forward slightly, 3 breaths keep back straight.
Left leg extended – same for opposite side
Right arm over head – tricep stretch, left hand on right elbow light pressure.
Left arm over head – same for opposite side
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Sign up for our FitSnack box to receive the full Mind Body series. We are sending out Mind Body part One and part two during the month of September.
You will have detailed training instruction for every move from our Certified Personal Trainer. Nutrition tips from our Nutritionist to help you kick unhealthy habits. If you are a beginner or advanced you can count on modifications. It is important to listen to your body on your journey of health and wellness and we hope to inspire that.
The first part of the series will be sent to your email in August if you are subscribed to Fit Snack. Part two and three coming in September and October. Join our community, we promise it just keeps getting better!
A jerky inspired by a century of tradition and a lifetime of hard work. We found the perfect flavor filled snack for your gym bag. A high in protein, no junk, mouth watering cut of jerky. Build your body up with fuel created by a pro.
Meet American Body Builder and 2x Arnold Class Winner, Branch Warren. He is the Founder of Wicked Cutz.
Recover Like A Body Builder
Whether you’re building muscle or focusing on endurance training, recovery is the key to success. It requires protein, but not all protein is created equally. First of all, not all protein contains all of your essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks for new cells aka those gains you’ve been seeking. Every 24 hours after a tough workout this is the window you want to make sure you get the proper amount of protein and nutrients for that matter. In this time frame muscle is breaking down at a faster rate. If you don’t feed your body protein, rather than build muscle then the opposite will happen. Muscle breakdown occurs when we do not fuel our bodies properly.
Foods rich in protein are the key to recovery. Meat or foods containing meat have the highest bioavailable protein. Other foods with highly bioavailable protein are eggs, spirulina and milk or cheese. Bioavailable is just a fun way of saying the protein in a specific food is made available to your muscles much faster and more effectively.
Low in sugar, fat and calories and packed with whole food ingredients. Wicked Cutz is a jerky lovers dream. A flavor for every day of the week and the perfect Turkey Jerky for the best fuel after your hardest workouts.
In just 1 oz you get:
10 G protein
Low sugar, only 4 g per ounce
Low sodium
0 trans fat
60 calories
All natural whole food ingredients
Now here’s a clean cut of jerky:
No artificial ingredients
No Nitrates or Nitrites
Turkey raised without antibiotics
No Added MSG
Gluten Free
Wicked Cutz Turkey, Beef & Bacon Jerky
A flavor for every day of the week. The high quality of the ingredients come through in each bite. In our Fit Snack box we included Korean Style BBQ Turkey Jerky. Handcrafted with lean turkey breast and all natural ingredients, it has an unforgettable taste and texture but don’t let us tell you. You have to hear it from Wicked Cutz and you’ll see just how well they know their jerky.
Sweeter than your great grand papi’s molasses and saltier than your great grand mami’s tongue, our jerky is so flavorful and tangy that your lips won’t be the only thing that puckers . Sugar, soy sauce, sesame seed oil all come together to make this the best tasting Teriyaki Turkey jerky that will make your great grandparents roll over in their grave!
The perfect pre and post workout snack. Fuel for your workout with Turkey Jerky any day of the week. There’s a flavor of this jerky to fit any mood or to cure any craving.
Sit back on a Sunday with Sriracha Style Bacon Jerky or keep it simple with the Original Peppered Beef Jerky.
Founder Branch Warren learned the true value of hard work from his mother. Warren is a World Champion Professional Bodybuilder. A man with values that have been passed on through a century of tradition. When it comes to hard work we believe his mother said it best.
“Nobody is going to give you anything, but you can have anything you want if you work hard and earn it.”
